Hopewell Township approves the backyard-chicken rule that had jokesters crowing the world around

Michael Mancuso/The TimesHopewell Township adopted a new chicken ordinance where roosters and hens will have limited time together and will have to demonstrate appropriate levels of hygiene.

HOPEWELL TOWNSHIP — Roosters looking to get a little action in local henhouses must first produce a clean bill of health under a newly adopted law regulating romantic interactions among chickens in backyard farms.

The so-called “chicken legislation” — the butt of jokes in news stories around the globe — was adopted unanimously by the township committee Monday night after nearly three hours of debate.

The measure not only limits the amount of time male chickens can spend with their female counterparts to 10 days each year, but also requires them to prove they’re disease-free before they’re allowed access to the hens.

The health component was tacked onto the draft legislation late in the evening to address committee concerns about protecting the flocks from diseases and pests brought in by roosters introduced to henhouses for mating purposes.

Local farmers who turned out for a public hearing on the legislation said health certification is standard practice among New Jersey chicken farmers, and adding it to the township legislation will protect the biosecurity of backyard farms as well.

Chickens are the only exception to Hopewell’s law that requires five acres or more to keep livestock.

Under the new ordinance, up to six hens are allowed on half-acre lots, but mature roosters are forbidden because they make too much noise.

The male fowls are allowed limited time on the property “for purposes of fertilization” but must keep quiet during their stays. Any rooster caught crowing for a prolonged period of time will subject the property to a two-year moratorium on all rooster visits.

The ordinance also regulates how to shelter chickens, store their feed and dispose of their waste.

The township began working on the measure three years ago when a resident sought permission to raise chickens in his backyard to teach his children about the cycle of life. It was decided then that the local laws regarding backyard farming were ambiguous and needed to be clarified.

But Hopewell’s attempt to regulate the activity became the butt of international jokes last month after the Associated Press and Reuters picked up on The Times’ coverage of the proposed chicken legislation and sent it to news outlets around the world. Publications in Europe, Asia and Africa poked fun at the proposal as an effort to regulate barnyard sex.

Township committee members, however, said the law is designed to let people engage in backyard farming without infringing upon the quality of life of their neighbors.

More than a dozen residents spoke for and against the measure. Those in favor said backyard farming is a growing trend that promotes a healthier diet and provides an opportunity for young people to learn about food production.

Most backyard farmers are in it for the fresh eggs and the joy of dabbling in the agricultural life.

Those against it said half-acre lots are too small for chicken farming and worried about odors from chicken coops. They also said that roosters, even those visiting for short periods of time, would make too much noise in densely populated neighborhoods.

Sandom herself had concerns about the roosters, saying it would be difficult for local officials to enforce the 10-day limit. She suggested allowing roosters outright until their crowing becomes a nuisance or banning them altogether.

But the committee decided to allow roosters in limited doses for now. Under the law, the committee will review the ordinance in a year and make changes if necessary.

“This ordinance is a compromise between our lifestyles of today and the agricultural background that Hopewell Township deems the cornerstone of our history,” Mayor Jim Burd said.